A great track about police brutality featuring images from the Sean Bell murder trial. Via Thug Life Army.

The following article is Immortal Technique’s reaction to the Sean Bell verdict and his comments on police brutality. Included are a story about Technique’s youth, in which he experienced police brutality, and a request for others to share their stories.

If you have a story or experience about police brutality, please visits Immortal Technique at his MySpace page (link after the break), and share your story. (more…)

Hip Hop Pioneers Kurtis Blow, The Legendary Grandmaster Jay, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, MC Lyte, Whodini, and The Sugar Hill Gang will appear in Detroit during The 1st Annual Stop The Violence Weekend May 2nd-4th.

On Friday, superstars Kurtis Blow and Grandmaster Jay are scheduled to speak to students at three of Detroit’s middle and high schools prior to a press conference to address the recent increases in gang behavior and violence involving Detroit’s youth. The rest of the hip hop pioneers will participate in a concert at the world famous Fox Theater on Saturday night. (more…)

  Rating:
  Review Date: April 28, 2008
  Website: Atmosphere Website
  Label: Rhymesayers

Atmosphere “When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold” Album Review
There’s a lot I can say about Atmosphere’s “When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold.” But the first thing that comes to mind is that this album exactly what I hoped to get from Slug and Ant this time around. In my review for the duo’s last major release, “You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having,” I had just two complaints. One, I felt that maybe it was time for Slug to get off the whole self-abusive anger kick; and two, maybe it was time for Ant to try a different sound – something like the live band feel they were touring with at the time. Well, I am happy to say that Atmosphere accomplished both with the release of “When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold.” (more…)

This is my favorite song from Atmosphere’s “When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold,” which will be reviewed soon. Yesterday is a dope lyrical track dedicated to Slug’s dad. Click below to listen:

And follow along with the lyrics after the break … (more…)

Only five days left!!! The Roots “Rising Down” hits stores next week.

  Rating:
  Review Date: April 23, 2008
  Website: Black Milk Website
  Label: Music House

Fat Ray & Black Milk “The Set Up” Album Review
Black Milk and Fat Ray’s “The Set Up” is a straight gutter, battle rap release – period. Every now and then I need a balance of my hip-hop music to include the street-inspired presentations like “The Set Up.” As of lately, I have been on some personal “rename random albums,” and this album I renamed “Punchlines & Amped Beats Vol. 1” – as there are plenty to go around. A true fan of battle raps will be in heaven with this presentation. (more…)

 Following up his street-single Mecca And The Ox is the first official single, TV Land produced by Melodius Monk, from Vast Aire’s forthcoming sophomore solo-LP, “Dueces Wild,” which will be released on 6-24-08.

Title track from “The Gathering” featuring dope verses from all eight Living Legend emcees.

  Rating:
  Review Date: April 21, 2008
  Website: Living Legends Website
  Label: Legendary Music

Living Legends “The Gathering” Album Review
In the first track of “The Gathering,” the Living Legends claim to be “eight of the dopest grown men with microphones you ever heard in your life” – and I gotta agree with that. If I had to make a list of my top 20 emcees, each person in the Living Legends crew would be on the list somewhere. Ever since their last album, “Classic” dropped – which was undoubtedly a classic – I’ve been waiting to hear these eight cats together on an album again. (more…)